Table 3.
Added value of serology in relation to the time window between onset of symptoms and collecting material
| Diagnostics | Proven STEC infection | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | <7 days | ≥7 days | |
| Fecal diagnostics | 54 % (34/63) | 44 % (11/25) | 62 % (20/32) |
| Serology | 62 % (38/61) | 45 % (9/20) | 69 % (25/36) |
| Combined: fecal diagnostics & serology | 77 % (50/65) | 58 % (7/12) | 95 % (20/21) |
| Added value of serology | 23 % | 14 % | 33 % |
Collection of diagnostics in the first 6 days after the start of the symptoms are compared with 7 days or more since onset and the influence on the detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection is compared. The added value of serology becomes more evident as of 7 days (p = 0.024)